Pants Size Conversion Charts + Size Guide for Men & Women

What size pants am I? Find your perfect fit with our size guide! Learn how to take measurements with our easy how-to guide. Convert measurements into the right US size and international size with our pants conversion charts. Find out everything about the Width-Length-Size-System (W/L) and pants cuts. Or use our conversion tools and size-calculator to convert into women’s or men’s sizes.

Pants Sizes

Please note that there are three different size systems. Please take a minute to choose the right one:

Most common: W/L – Jeans Sizes: This system uses two numbers, separated either with an x or forward slash, like 34×32 or 28/30. This sizing system is used for pants, dress pants and jeans. For men.For women.

EU Pants Sizes: Are used in Europe, mainly France, Germany, UK, and Italy. Typical numbers are 40 for women or 50 for men.

W/L Sizes explained

W stands for waist width (Waist = W ) and L stands for leg length (L = Length). Each pants size that is labeled in inches includes these two figures. For example, if you have a jeans size 34/32, the number 34 means that you have a waist width of 34 inches. The number 32 then corresponds to a leg length of 32 inches.

How to Measure your Size for Pants?

How are pants measured? Nothing easier than that! To find out your size, measure the waist first. To do this, you need to place a measuring tape at the narrowest midpoint of the body. If you measure 33.5 inches, then round up to the next number = W34.

Stride length (inseam) is determined by applying the measuring tape along the inside of the leg. You have to measure from the stride length till your foot to get the length. If you measure 31.5 inches, round up to next number = L32. Your size is then W34/L32, or just 34/32. Sometimes an ‘x’ is used instead of the dash (34×32).

If you want to buy suit pants, you should make sure that the measure stops just before the ground. In this way, you will ensure that they fall neatly on the top of your shoes. This is different in the case of casual pants because it is sufficient for you to measure half the heel height. This also ensures that your clothes are not soiled too quickly – for example, during outdoor trips.

If you want to measure your inseam (another word for inside leg) then best pick a pair that fit, you very well. You can measure the length of the inseam best if you place your pair of trousers flat on the floor, a table, or the bed. Measure now from the crotch seam (the point where the left and right legs are sewed together) to the bottom of the leg.

In all cases, please also consider the cut of the pant you want to buy. Obviously a petite cut needs to be bought in a larger size than loose fit cut as these will have more room at the ankle.

Men’s Pants Cuts

Aside from the size of the pants, the cut and fit are the most important features. The following cuts are available: Boot Cut, Regular, Baggy, Relaxed, Drop Crotch, Slim Fit, Skinny Fit and Loose Fit.

Pants Width and Length in Inch (W/L)

Most American pants sizes are based on width and length, measured in units of inches. All well-known manufacturers use two measurements: waistband to get the width and length of inseam/legs.

While the first measure is between 26 and 48 and indicates the waistband, the second measure is between 30 and 36 and reflects stride length.

This means: if you chose a pair of jeans, slacks or khakis that say 34×33, it means the waist is 34 inches long and the inseam is 33 inches long. Pants are produced in many, many different waistband and stride length combinations so that you can easily find the right pair for your individual physique.

Pants are measured in inches in US and centimeters in Europe.

What is the first/second number in pants size?

The first number in pants is width: The size of the waistband is usually indicated with a W. For pants with a value of W25, this is taken to mean a pair of pants with the smallest, most common waistband width, namely 25 inches. This waistband width is especially for women’s jeans, but can be found among jeans for boys and corresponds to a waistband of 63.5 centimeters. The standard minimum value for men’s pants is W 28, with waistband widths of up to W40.

The second number in pants is length: The leg length is also indicated in inches and is marked with an L. Just as with classic clothing sizes, the inner seam is measured as well. In principle, the length of men and women’s jeans are not different and range from a length of 30 inches, i.e. L 30, to a length of 36 inches, i.e. L 36. Individual manufacturers also produce in intermediate sizes, which are indicated by odd numbers.

The combination of two numbers, which can be found on jeans and other casual pants thus identifies the waistband width as well as stride length. A pair of pants in size 30/32, therefore, has a waistband of 30 inches and stride length of 32 inches. If you want to convert the size to the metric system, you must use factor 2.54, because an inch is equal to 2.54 centimeters. Therefore, a pair of pants with a length of 32 inches has a stride length of 81 centimeters.

Women’s Cuts

One criterion with which to classify different types of pants is the cut. Regarding pant length, they can be distinguished among long ones, 7/8, 3/4, shorts and hot pants.

In addition, pants are differentiated according to how wide they are, what leg shape they have, or how high the waistband is.

Different cuts and fits for women. From Jeggins, Skinny Fit, Boyfriend Fit, Regular, Boot Cut to Lose Fit. The height also determines the exact measurement, ranging from the High-wasted rise, Original rise, Regular rise, Medium rise to Low and even Ultra Low rise.

This is how, for example, pants with a rather low waistband are called hipsters, and ones with a very high waistband are called High Waist. Also, there are bootcut pants which have a wider cut of the lower legs area. Bootcut can be found from many American brands.

Bootcut paints often also have straight legs but in contrast to straight cut, the legs are wider on the bottom to make room for boots. Straight cut pants do not have that additional space. They just have straight legs from top to bottom.

So-called Baggy jeans are wide cut, with a waistband that sits under the hip. Baggy and Cargo have a similar cut, but Cargo pants do not sit below the waist.

Leggings, Treggings, stirrup, drainpipes, capris and hot pants have a rather narrow cut.

Skinny or petite fit is the newest trend. Here the pants are not loose at the ankle but (very) tight fitting. For many people, petite fit does not work well as their calves might be too large.

While Capris reach the middle of the calves and are usually slightly slit at the sides, hot pants are narrow, tight shorts.

Flared jeans are among the pant models with a narrow top and wide bottom, which are also often called Trumpets because of their trumpet-like shape.

The latest trend is to wear stretch materials. This is even true for denim jeans. Stretch material has the advantage to adapt to the different shapes of people wearing the clothes. Also stretch pants grow and shrink with the owner.

At a Glance

To determine your size, you need to measure your (1) waistband (W) and (2) leg or step length (L). Sizes in the U.S. are typically labelled as W(x)/L(y) (e.g., W34/L32 or 34/32).

The waistband is always measured at the narrowest point of the body, namely the waist. If you measure 33.5 inches, then round up to the next number (i.e., W34).

For the length (inseam), measure the inside of the leg, from the crotch all the way down at the level of the ankle or foot. If you measure 31.5 inches, then round up to the next number (i.e., L32).

For women’s sizes, however, you need to measure your waist and hips in inch or centimeters and refer to a size chart. For international sizes, you need an international conversion size chart.

Sizes vary between the different brands and cuts. Today, no clear standards are available, which is why you need to refer to the specific size charts of each brand to find a pair of pants that fit you best.